700 TSTT workers to go home

WITH only 48 hours before Prime Minister Patrick Manning presents the 2004/2005 Budget in Parliament, the Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) has offered “attractive separation packages” to 700 of its workers as it prepares itself for imminent competition with the opening up of the local telecommunications sector. TSTT has a total workforce of 3,500 persons. In a statement yesterday, TSTT said the offer was made after extensive consultations with the Communications Workers Union (CWU) and “through these plans, the company is hopeful that it can avoid the need for involuntary separation of staff as it seeks to develop a more nimble, responsive and customer-caring organisation.”

TSTT executive vice-president (organisation effectiveness) Oliver Flax said the company’s Enhanced Early Retirement Plan (EERP) and Voluntary Separation Plan (VSP) “were the most generous plans the company has ever offered.” On the VSP, Flax said its benefits exceed those previously offered for all categories of TSTT staff and also “exceeds the existing retrenchment benefits agreed with the CWU for the senior and junior staff.” On the EERP, Flax explained this was a customised plan specifically designed for employees 50 years and over and with more than ten years of service. “The plan gives employees the opportunity to voluntarily take early retirement without losing the value of the benefits they would have been entitled to if they had worked up to the normal retirement age,” he said.

Flax added that employees who accepted EERP would remain fully covered by TSTT’s medical plan. In addition to financial benefits, Flax said TSTT would provide other support for employees who take up either of the plans. “TSTT will be sponsoring professional workshops and counselling on prudent financial management, coping with the change and preparing for new careers and jobs. The company will also provide up to $5,000 towards tuition costs of approved programmes that employees enroll in after leaving TSTT,” he stated. TSTT indicated that these plans had their genesis in discussions held in July between company chairman Christian Mouttet, then CEO Sam Martin, CWU president Lyle Townsend and members of the CWU’s executive. The company said “the response by employees to the plan has been totally positive as many embrace the opportunity to embark on new life directions” and reiterated its commitment to hold more discussions with the CWU to address any concerns which the employees may have.
Attempts to contact Townsend for comment were unsuccessful.